by R J Sorrento
“Later, man.”
Jin stepped into the hallway and paused while he dialed. Hopefully, a phone call would be taken more seriously than a text.
“Come on, answer it,” Jin chanted to himself as he listened to the ringback tones in his ear.
“Hello?” Cal sounded out of breath. Jin wondered what he was doing so early in the morning. Whenever Cal stayed over on a Saturday night, Jin had to drag him out of bed so they could make it to brunch before it turned into dinner.
“Cal?” Jin squeaked, surprised he had answered. “You haven’t called me in a week, and all you can say is hello?”
“I’m sorry,” Cal panted. “I’ve been a shitty boyfriend, I know that. But I’ve been busy. I…well, I got into photography school, and I don’t want to mess it up.”
Jin’s heart sank when he heard Cal mention photography school. Another lie. He wasn’t certain what made it worse: being lied to or the fact that Cal wasn’t comfortable telling him the truth.
“That’s great. I’m glad you’re following your dream.” Jin feigned happiness, as his mind raced.
“Thanks, Jin. And I’m sorry, more than I can say. Let me make it up to you. I’ll cook a nice romantic dinner at your place next week.”
“I’d like for it to be our place,” Jin reminded him, hoping Cal would agree. The lies didn’t matter; he could help Cal with whatever he was going through.
“Yes, I know…we can talk about it next week, okay?”
Jin gave a half-hearted smile to himself. “Bye. Love you.”
“Bye, Jin. Love you, too.”
Jin ended the call. Other than Cal lying and sounding out of breath, he sounded happier than ever.
* * *
After their early morning jog along the lakefront, they slowed their pace down the hall to the apartment. Fernando tried to hide his disappointment after listening to Cal’s phone call, but Margo knew him too well. She patted his back, but he only shook his head. Fernando glanced at Cal, whose eyes were downcast and lips pursed. Just as Fernando opened the front door his phone buzzed with yet another message from Ted.
“I need the shower first,” Fernando declared, beating the others to the only bathroom. “Ted wants to see me, alone, as soon as possible.”
Margo rubbed her hands together anxiously. “Does he seem upset?”
“We haven’t trained or recruited for him in a week. What do you think? Even though he was at the conference, I’m sure Rita had no problem letting him know that we’ve been missing in action these past six days.”
“Well, don’t take it out on me.” Margo avoided eyeing Cal as she spoke.
“Don’t ask silly questions,” Fernando snapped.
“Don’t be such an asshole,” Margo retorted, her voice shaking. She didn’t appreciate being the target of Fernando’s bitterness, especially when she wasn’t the cause. Margo knew Fernando would never hurt her, but the flicker of fear and anger in his eyes terrified her.
Cal looked from Margo to Fernando as if watching a tennis match. “If you don’t hurry, I’ll step in the shower first.” He tapped the wall.
Fernando attempted to block out an image of Cal wet and naked in the shower. “Not so fast, Captain Stellar.” He left for the bathroom.
Five minutes later, Fernando returned, dressed in a black t-shirt and jeans. His dark hair was wavy and damp.
“Suerte,” Margo called as she watched him leave the apartment.
* * *
“You wanted to see me.” Fernando stepped into Dr. Almighty’s office, who smiled upon seeing the young man.
“Funesto, where have you been hiding?” His grin widened.
“Not hiding, only busy.” Fernando stepped to the side. “Always busy.”
Dr. Almighty nodded. Fernando was relieved that Ted couldn’t know what they had been doing because of the genetics conference. Ted had always reassured him that there were no surveillance cameras in the warehouse or anywhere near or inside their apartment. Privacy was the only gift from him that Fernando appreciated and he had finally taken full advantage of it.
“I want to show you something.” He stood from behind his desk and pulled a book from the case along the wall. It opened into a smaller room, which was dark. The air was musty as Fernando inhaled, following Dr. Almighty into the room. The older man hit a switch, offering a dim light and revealing several safes inside.
Fernando’s eyes widened. He’d never seen this secret room in his ten years at the lab. Why did Ted need to show him this now?
“You’re the only one who gets to see this,” Dr. Almighty added as if reading Fernando’s mind.
“What is all this?” Fernando took small steps around the tiny room.
“This is your inheritance.” Dr. Almighty unlocked the safes, his back turned to Fernando so he was blocking the combinations from view. He showed Fernando precious jewels and stacks of cash.
“Inheritance?” Fernando had been expecting a lecture not a generous gift.
“I’ve always thought of you and Margo as my children. I knew I’d never have any of my own.”
Fernando winced. The anger, ever present in his heart, rose in his throat. He had a father and, although he had been less than ideal, Fernando had loved him regardless. Ted had separated them.
“When I saw you two on the beach years ago…well, I just knew. You’re both so perfect.” Dr. Almighty beamed at him.
Fernando faked a smile. He was far from perfect. Ted’s experiments had damned him to an isolated existence. Love and relationships, even sex, had become unattainable and impossible. No one would love a man with such terrible, destructive power.
“I love you and your sister, more than anyone in this world,” Dr. Almighty continued. “When I’m gone, I want you taken care of. So, upon my death, you will have access to this room. I have assigned a man, even wealthier than me, to provide you with the safe combinations.”
“I don’t know what to say.”
“There’s a young man named Cal Bolden, lifting cars and saving little girls on the Chicago streets.” Dr. Almighty showed him a screenshot, changing tactics suddenly. Fernando tried not to show a reaction even though his stomach dropped. “He’s all over the Internet, as the young kids say.”
Fernando glanced at the picture, keeping a neutral face. “Is he one of yours?”
Dr. Almighty laughed. “Usually, I let you and Magenta recruit, but when I saw this mountain of a man walking down Clark Street…he’s more than ideal.”
Fernando stayed quiet, holding back his rage. Ted seemed to think that people were on display in one long buffet for him to pick and choose his heroes and villains from. Fernando had made certain to disobey upon realizing Ted thought he had the power to mold him. Despite Ted’s intelligence, he had misjudged Cal. He thought he picked some dumb piece of muscle to obey his every command. Fernando fought a satisfied smile.
“Tell the truth, Funesto. Have you seen his man before?” He offered a second look and Fernando accepted it, but shook his head.
“You’re not lying, are you?” Dr. Almighty stepped closer and looked into his eyes.
“I’d do anything for you. But I don’t know that man.”
“If I find out that you’ve been lying to me…” Dr. Almighty cleared his throat. “Well, it would hurt me very much if anything were to happen to Margo.”
Fernando felt his stomach drop. This wasn’t the first time Ted had threatened his sister’s life to make him obey. “She can fly away from you.”
“I’m well aware that she can fly, but I’m quick enough to shoot her out of the sky like a bird. Honestly, I could call her to my office right now and take her out in a matter of seconds.”
Fernando clenched his jaw.
“She trusts me.” Dr. Almighty grinned. “She has always been the heart of our little family. I’d hate for you to be the reason it falls apart.”
Fernando ignored the pulsing in his ears. He knew it was a risk to play dumb about Cal, but he’d find a way to
protect Margo. Keeping Cal safe was the only way for them to take down Ted. “I’m telling you the truth.”
“It’s a pity Cal ran away. He’d learn so much from you if given the chance at Almighty Labs. You’re my best trainer.”
Fernando swallowed. “I’ll be more than happy to help if he returns.”
“That’s my boy.” Dr. Almighty patted him on the back, the only other person besides Margo unafraid to touch him.
Fernando flinched at the contact, horrified at how Ted could go from threats to praise in seconds.
“That is all for now. You may go.”
“Thank you.”
“Oh. Wait. Poor Rita could use help in the training studio. Get back to work next week.”
Fernando paused, his suspicions confirmed that Rita had divulged their absence from training to Ted. “Yes, sir.”
Fernando raced back to the apartment. As he ran down the corridors, the thought of using his hands against Ted was more tempting with each passing day. But he wasn’t ready to live with himself, knowing he took a life. He didn’t want to give Ted the satisfaction of seeing him become a monster. Fernando pushed his fear of losing Margo aside; he needed to be brave for her. He would protect her.
Cal waited for him in the kitchen with a stack of pancakes. “Margo is still in the bathroom,” Cal answered before he could ask.
“Smells good in here.” Fernando smiled, a moment of relief despite the butterflies in his stomach.
“It’s the least I could do.” Cal removed Fernando’s white apron, setting it on the granite counter.
“Thanks for breakfast.” Fernando breathed in the sweet aroma while walking toward the kitchen.
“El placer es mío.” Cal served pancakes onto a blue ceramic plate. “I think I said it right.”
“Perfecto.” Fernando’s gaze was glued to crystal blue eyes. He wished he could ignore the drumming in his chest. Someone was taking care of him for a change. Cal had been thinking of him and had remembered what Fernando said to him during their first dinner together. Fernando wanted to race around the counter to wrap his arms around Cal but he held back.
“What did Dr. Almighty want?” Margo interrupted as she dried her long black hair with a towel.
“We’re screwed.”
“Por qué?” Margo’s voice trembled.
“He knows about Cal. He saw a video on the Internet of you saving that little girl,” Fernando explained, rubbing his forehead and touching the wavy tips of his hair.
“Shit.” Cal rubbing the back of his neck.
“I think he knows we’re training him, but I can’t be certain. And that kiss-ass Rita told him she’s been training the new recruits by herself this week.”
“That can’t be good.” Margo paced. She pictured Rita pleased with herself and tossing her ridiculous long blond waves of hair. Her blood boiled at the thought of Rita snitching on them to get on Dr. Almighty’s good side.
“He’s up to something, Margo. Showed me a secret room filled with safes. He said the money and jewels inside will belong to you and me after he dies.”
“Oh, wow.” Margo sank down into the sofa. Dr. Almighty must truly love them to choose them as his heirs. His unexpected generosity assuaged the fears and doubts that had been wreaking havoc on her nerves.
“It’s more money than I’ve ever seen in one room. He wants to control us.” Fernando noted the relief forming on Margo’s face. She was a fool to think their inheritance was a good thing. She had no idea Ted had threatened her life several times in the past. Ted was selfish even in his generosity, but Fernando could play along with his game. He had learned a lot from Ted the past ten years. “To keep him happy, we need to help Rita train the others. She’s been stepping up while we’ve been missing.”
“Starting next week, we help Rita in the mornings. And then, we’ll train you at night, Cal.” Margo tapped her chin at him.
“Sorry. I can’t help feeling I’m the one responsible for getting you into trouble with Dr. Almighty,” Cal offered, moving closer to Fernando.
“It’s not your fault. Fernando insisted on training you,” Margo snapped.
Cal’s eyes widened.
“Neither of us blames you. I wanted to…we wanted to train you. And I’m sure I could have gotten in trouble with Ted without anyone’s help,” Fernando assured him. “I take full responsibility.” He narrowed his eyes at his sister.
“Should I leave the lab?” Cal asked, turning to Fernando.
“No,” Fernando blurted. It felt selfish, but he didn’t want Cal to leave. The mere thought of never seeing Cal again weighed heavy on his heart.
Margo crossed her arms. Fernando needed to start thinking with his head instead of his heart if they were going to get through this.
“We can train off site. No shortage of tall buildings to put your flying to the test.” Fernando rubbed his jaw.
“I guess that works,” Margo allowed as her lips thinned. It was risky, but she knew Fernando would do anything to make it work.
“I’m not sure what that hijo de puta is thinking. But if he’s planning something, we need to be ready.”
The room fell silent and Cal paced. “I don’t know what to expect from this Dr. Almighty, but…” He stopped and Fernando felt Cal’s eyes on him. “But I feel safer with you by my side.”
Fernando leaned forward, wanting to respond, but finding himself speechless for the first time. Margo cleared her throat. Fernando, a quick wit in two languages, looked like a blushing schoolboy as he gazed back dumbfounded. “And-”
“And you, too, Margo,” Cal interrupted. “You’ve helped me-”
“I meant to say we’re not sure what to expect either, but we’ll need to stay focused.” She narrowed her eyes at Fernando.
“We will, hermanita,” Fernando insisted, although it would be the biggest challenge of his life to focus only on the training. “I can take whatever Ted throws at us.”
Chapter 15
Cal soared past the tall buildings, admiring the brilliant display their lights created in the night sky. He had lived near Chicago his entire life, but he’d never viewed it from such a great height. Of course, if he thought about how high he was, his stomach did flips, so he focused on what was in front of him and watched where Margo led him.
The wind whipped through his short blond hair like when Cal went for rides in the convertible with his mom and dad. Before the divorce. Riding around on a quiet Sunday morning along the lakefront had been his favorite summer pastime when he was a child. After his dad left for good, the abrupt end to those carefree rides tore at his heart. He never thought he would feel the wind in his hair in quite the same way. The exciting thrill of childhood fantasies had been left behind with his love of adventure.
Cal ignored his nerves, exhilarated once again. He blinked his eyes against the wind as his body cut through the chill of the nighttime air.
“Almost there,” Margo shouted over to him, pointing to where Fernando was on a roof, waiting for them to land.
Cal followed her as they approached the tall building. They landed on the roof together. Fernando smiled at his graceful landing and Cal swelled with pride. He finally nailed the landing, and Fernando had been there to witness it.
“Nice spot for night training, no?” He held out his arms, taking in the view. “Usually Margo only gets to have all the fun. I’ll never be able to fly with you, but it’s cool to see the city from way up here.”
“So gorgeous at night.” Cal enjoyed the smile spreading on Fernando’s lips as he gazed at the city lights, the breeze playing with the waves of his hair.
“You’re out of breath,” Margo interrupted, raising her eyebrows at Fernando.
“Next time, you try sneaking into a building to climb up endless flights of stairs, and then tell me how you feel.”
“I won’t because I don’t have to,” Margo stuck out her tongue.
Fernando crossed his arms, opening his mouth to speak.
Cal coughed
before Fernando could respond. “I still can’t believe I flew here. Usually, we drive.”
“Your powers are improving. I wanted to challenge you.” Margo turned to face him.
“Does it ever get old? To fly through the city at night?” Cal wondered.
“Flying is like falling in love; terrifying but exhilarating.” Margo closed her eyes. “Not that I’d know how love feels.”
Fernando heard a drop plop onto his gloves.
“Is that rain?” Fernando asked, glancing at his gloves. They all looked up at the sky and saw a pigeon fly past him. “Mierda.”
Margo stifled a laugh. “Did the bird leave you a present?”
Fernando glared at her as he reluctantly removed his soiled gloves and set them on the ledge.
“Is that a good idea?” Margo frowned.
“It’s fine. I’ll sit this one out.” He took a few steps back, folding his arms to hide his hands.
Cal never knew what to say when the siblings’ conversations became intense, other than saying something goofy. But it was in poor taste to joke about Fernando’s power.
“Why don’t you go for a solo flight around the building and work on perfecting your landing,” Margo suggested, turning to Cal.
He sprinted and took off into the air. The breeze kissed his cheeks as he circled the tall building. As a child, he pretended he could fly with his friends on the playground. They would chase each other around with their arms spread wide. But flying was more exhilarating than he ever could have imagined. As he came in for a landing, his body began to float and he prepared his feet for the roof. On his left, he glimpsed Fernando admiring his new skills and stumbled as he landed.
“What happened?” Margo frowned.
“Got distracted, I guess. Sorry.” Cal rubbed the back of his neck. He didn’t want to disappoint Margo when he knew she was counting on him. His eyes were glued to the rooftop, not wanting to see Fernando’s reaction. Letting Margo down was one thing, but having Fernando think less of him was even worse.
“Try it again. And this time, focus!” Margo set her hands on her hips.
“You don’t have to be so hard on him, Magenta,” Fernando chided, pacing along the ledge, useless but dangerous without his gloves.
